Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City
The Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City effortlessly preserves the heritage of the fascinating Boulder Branch Line, commissioned by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1931 to haul the literal tons of equipment and material needed to construct the massive Hoover Dam. In addition to the static displays of restored railroad equipment that once operated on Nevada’s train tracks, the museum currently operates weekend heritage excursion trains on the original railroad line laid down by the Union Pacific.
It took more than a heroic effort to build Hoover Dam in the 1930s; it also took a railroad. The Boulder Branch Line, set up by Union Pacific in 1931 to haul all the project’s building materials, lives on in the 21st century as the Nevada State Railroad Museum.
Visiting the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City Today
This unmatched Las Vegas area attraction takes visitors on a trip along the tracks of southern Nevada’s colorful past aboard refurbished and air-conditioned Pullman Coaches that date all the way back to 1911. If you want to be one with the elements, not to worry—the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City offers an open-air coach, which is best enjoyed in the spring or autumn months. Another highlight of the State Railroad Museum is the model railroad display on the station platform, housed in a restored 1914 UP Chair Car, which showcases two model railroads at HO and O scales.
Take a relaxing ride most Saturdays and Sundays, or plan ahead and reserve your spot on one of the themed train rides throughout the year. Purchase tickets for the Halloween Express, Santa Train, or even the Great Train Robbery-themed ride! If you’re searching for even more of an immersive experience, enroll in the “Engineer for an Hour” program, where you can learn how to run a diesel-electric locomotive along this historic stretch of track.
Train Rides
Experience Nevada railroad history when you ride the rails that were built in the 1930s. These tracks were originally constructed by the Union Pacific Railroad to service the Boulder Dam project. The scenic seven-mile train ride travels along the eastern end of the Boulder Branch Line and lasts approximately 45 minutes. Throughout the experience, passengers can take in stunning views of the sprawling El Dorado Valley, the McCollough and River Mountain ranges, and abundant Mojave Desert plant life along the way.
For those who want to explore the rails of Nevada in a unique way, hop on a pedal-powered (and electronically assisted) railbike.
Hours:
The Open-air Pavilion hours are Monday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 4:00PM. For the most current information on train rides, get in touch with the museum directly at (702) 486-5933.
Admission:
Admission is free to the Open-air Pavilion. Train rides are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-11, and free for children ages 3 and under. If you’re in a group of 12 or more, the rate is $7 per adult.
This Location:
City
Boulder CityRegion
Southern Nevada
